Out & About: 19 Things To Do in Fall 2018
Our picks of the best family events this fall.
August 17 (Start Date)
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Sample new products and shop for every Hawai‘i-made item you can think of, from sweet treats and kids clothing to household cleaners and jewelry. Coupons for $1 off general admission are available at any First Hawaiian Bank branch on O‘ahu.
Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall and Arena, all ages, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., madeinhawaiifestival.com
Original date: August 24 (Rescheduled to Feb. 22-24, 2019, due to Hurricane Lane)
Amazing! Comic Con Aloha
Not to be mistaken for Comic Con Honolulu, the “Amazing! Comic Con Aloha” gathers local enthusiasts for a weekend of excitement, including celebrity appearances, a costume contest, caricature drawings, and more. The event originally was on Aug. 24, 2018. Visit the website for upcoming details.
Rescheduled to Feb. 22-24, 2019, due to Hurricane Lane. amazingcomicconaloha.com
September 1 (Start Date)
Okinawan Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Okinawan Festival
You won’t need sunglasses and sunscreen at this year’s Okinawan Festival. For the first time in 36 years, the event takes place at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, an air-conditioned venue spared from rain and direct sunlight. Kid-friendly activities include a dress-up station of Okinawan costumes and traditional games found at bon festivals. The bon dance is on Saturday evening. Also, don’t forget to leave room for andagi (Okinawan fried donuts) and goya champuru (bittermelon stir fry).
Hawai‘i Convention Center, all ages, Saturday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., okinawanfestival.com
September 14 (Start Date)
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat
The Cat and his cohorts wreak havoc on the house while the kids’ mother is away. Inspired by the beloved Dr. Seuss book, this theatrical adaptation is delivered in rhyme.
UH Mānoa’s Kennedy Theatre, all ages, Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept.23. Various times. manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/cat
September 22
St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
This family-friendly run/walk raises funds for the free St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats childhood cancers and life-threatening pediatric diseases. Families are never billed nor expected to pay co-payments. At the run/walk finish line, kids can take photos with Stormtroopers, play lawn games to win prizes, and participate in arts and crafts.
Ala Moana Beach Park, all ages, Saturday, Sept. 22, 6:30to 10:30 a.m., stjude.org/walkrun
September 22
Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Spend an afternoon by a tropical lagoon to watch Disney-Pixar movies, participate in music videos, dine at food trucks, play kids sports and visit with Disney characters. This annual event raises funds for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Dress for a day under the sun, and bring picnic mats for the sunset movie on the lagoon. Special room rates are available at the Aulani and Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu.
Kohola Lagoon 1, Ko Olina Resort, all ages, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2 to 8 p.m., koolinachildrensfestival.com
September 22
Museum Day Live! (Free)
On this day, Smithsonian Magazine grants free admission to select museums nationwide, including Hawai‘i participants: ‘Iolani Palace, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i Historical Gallery. Visit the link to download passes for two people.
Various locations, all ages, Saturday, Sept. 22, various times. smithsonianmag.com/museumday
September 22
Family Day Open House
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Mission Houses
Experience missionary life in Hawai‘i during the 1800s. Free tours, every half-hour, are from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a walk-through of two historic homes and grounds. Kids can use an old pump, see old toys and clothing, and learn about life sans plumbing, electricity and modern appliances.
Hawaiian Mission Houses, all ages, Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., missionhouses.org
October 6
Clean Energy Fair by Hawaiian Electric
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Electric
To kick off Energy Action Month, kids can learn about energy conservation from the pros and participate in themed activities by Magic Science of Hawai‘i.
Macy’s Wing, Kāhala Mall, all ages, Saturday, Oct. 6,10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kahalamallcenter.com
October 6
Honolulu Intertribal Powwow
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Intertribal Powwow
Native Americans from various tribes come together to share their culture and sell handmade jewelry, crafts and traditional foods. Bring cash to buy products, dress for a day at the beach, and bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to watch entertainment on the grass.
Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, all ages, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., honoluluintertribalpowwow.com
October 7
Children and Youth Day
Photo: Courtesy of Children and Youth Day
One of the largest, free outdoor events for families on O‘ahu happens outside the Hawai‘i State Capitol where kids can participate in Hawaiian crafts, climb a rock wall and join a fun run in the morning. Every activity is free so expect to spend a few hours there, and a crowd.
Hawai‘i State Capitol, all ages, Sunday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., hawaiicyd.org
October 27 (Start Date)
Greek Festival
Wear a toga to the Greek Festival to get $1 off the $3 admission. While there, nosh on gyros sandwiches, souvlaki (skewers) and baklava, then take the kids to watch folk dancers. The agora (market) is the place to stock up on cheeses and olive oils for home-cooked meals. The festival, originally scheduled for Aug. 25, was postponed to October, due to Hurricane Lane.
McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park, all ages, Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28, noon to 9 p.m., greekfestivalhawaii.com
October 28
Hawai‘i Pacific Health Kids Fest
Kids can participate in this free community health event to learn about active lifestyles, exercise, nutrition and injury prevention. In addition to playing games for snacks and prizes, children 4 to 12 years can enter to win a free bicycle and helmet. Entrance to Museum Museum is free.
Bishop Museum, all ages, Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., hawaiipacifichealth.org/KidsFest
Halloween Fun!
All ages
Fall Harvest Festival
Take a hayride, pick pumpkins and visit the country market at this fall-inspired event on O‘ahu’s Windward side.
Waimānalo Country Farms, weekends, Sept. 29 through Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., (808) 306-4381, waimanalocountryfarms.com
Pumpkin Festival
At this working farm in Kapolei, kids can ride ponies, go on hayrides and pick sweet corn, pumpkins and sunflowers.
Aloun Farms, weekends, Oct. 13 through Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., (808) 677-9516, alounfarms.com
The Great Pumpkin Festival
The largest pumpkin patch in East O‘ahu has more than 2,500 locally grown pumpkins for sale. There are rides and games for kids, and a specialty market to jump-start holiday shopping. Admission is free.
Holy Nativity School, Saturday, Oct. 20,10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (808) 373-3232, holynativityschool.org
Kāhala Mall Costume Contest
Kids can start lining up at 4:30 p.m. for the contest that awards prizes in multiple categories, ranging from age groups to comical themes.
Kāhala Mall, Saturday, Oct. 27, 5 p.m., (808) 732-7736, kahalamallcenter.com
Royal Hawaiian Center Keiki Costume Contest
Contest registration begins at 3 p.m., costume contest starts at 4 p.m. and trick-or-treating follows at 5:30 p.m.
Royal Hawaiian Center, Sunday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m., (808) 922-2299, royalhawaiiancenter.com
Keiki Costume Ball
Wear costumes, play keiki games and find ice cream, pizza and sweet stations throughout the center’s galleries. Registration is required.
Hawai’i Children’s Discovery Center, Sunday, Oct. 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., (808) 524-5437, discoverycenterhawaii.org
Find even more events, trick-or-treat spots and spooky snacks and craft ideas in our Halloween Corner starting Oct. 1!
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